Ryan played under Dave Penney at Doncaster Rovers

Darlington manager Dave Penney has expressed his delight at the return of defender Tim Ryan to the side following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury.

Ryan, 33, was drafted in to cope with Shrewsbury's physical threat and Penney hopes to see the full-back back to his best in a Darlington shirt.

"They're a big side and he's just slowly getting back to the Tim Ryan of old," he told BBC Tees.

"I'm delighted for him and I know what he's all about as a player."

Ryan was also part of manager Dave Penney's side that gained promotion to League One with Doncaster Rovers.

Meanwhile Penney was also handed a boost ahead of Tuesday's visit of Huddersfield Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with the availability of Lichtenstein winger Franz Burgmeier.

The 26-year-old was due to fly out to Lichtenstein to train with the squad prior to flying back for their World Cup qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

But after negotiation with the International Federation, Burgmeier will line up for Darlington before travelling down to Cardiff and Penney is hopeful that relations between club and country will remain close in the future.

"Franz is available and we had a chat with the Federation of Lichtenstein and come to some compromise," he said.

"They've done us a favour by letting him play the game and I suppose there will be some give and take with the Federation in the time that he is here."